THE AIR FORCE Thunderbirds (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt Richard Rose Jr.)
The government deadlock in Washington is having an impact on the annual Pacific Air Show in Huntington Beach.
Since the standoff over funding for the federal government has closed down all but the most vital services, the participation of active military aircraft in the show was cancelled.
The show, which started Friday and continues through Sunday over Surf City’s downtown area beaches, therefore is deprived of planned overflights from the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, a F-22 Raptor and the MV-22 Osprey helicopter and a demonstration of the USAF F-35.
But unaffected on the schedule were the Canadian Force Snowbirds and the Royal Air Force parachute display team from the United Kingdom.
Classic warbirds owned privately are still planned to take part in the event as well.
“While this is certainly disappointing news, we are excited to share that Pacific Airshow Huntington Beach will continue as scheduled this Friday through Sunday with an outstanding lineup of world-class domestic and international performances,” organizers stated in an announcement.
The show – which is open free to the public except for priority seating – is open from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
